US & Canada’s Financial Hangovers: A Post-Night Out Spending Study?

Oof, the hangover after a long night out never gets easier. But the real kicker? The ‘financial hangover’. You know, the dread of checking your bank account the next morning. That harsh reality check revealing how much you spent on McDonald’s and cocktails, making you wonder, ‘Did I really need that extra round of drinks?’  

Some may argue that financial hangovers are worse than physical hangovers, as it induces stress and anxiety that can linger for days. This led us to conducting a nationwide survey of 3,000 Americans and 3,000 Canadians to analyze their experiences with financial hangovers; and which states and provinces/territories experience these hangovers the most.  

Key Findings: 

• Nearly 3 in 4 Americans and Canadians experience anxiety when checking their bank accounts after a night out 

• 88% of both Americans and Canadians regret their spending decisions the morning after 

• On average, Americans wait 2.4 days before checking their bank account post-night out, while Canadians wait 2.8 days 

• US: Oregon ranks #1 for financial hangovers, with 94.4% of residents having experienced it 

• CA: Newfoundland and Labrador ranks #1 in financial hangovers, with 84% of residents having experience it

America’s financial hangover: The anxiety of post-night out spending ?? ??

3 in 4 Americans admit to feeling anxious when checking their bank accounts after a night out. Over half (52%) occasionally experience financial hangovers, stressing about their spending the next day – or 3!  

On average, Americans wait 2.4 days before checking their bank accounts, avoiding the dreaded (wallet) shock from their night out spending. With 88.7% admitting they regret their purchasing decisions the morning after and 44% forgetting how much they spent, it’s no wonder they dodge those bank statements.  

Our respondents say spending about $250 would make them anxious when checking their bank accounts. While half (50.7%) set a budget for their night out expenses, 35% don’t stick to it. Regardless of their budgeting habits, 68% actively avoid checking their bank accounts during the night to stall the financial hangover.  

So, what’s causing Americans’ financial hangovers after a night out? Food is the #1 culprit, as it’s gobbling up 41.4% of their spending. Drinks rank #2 place overall, followed by activities (group events, games, etc.) in #3 place. Transportation (Ubers, etc.) comes in #4 place at 4.6%. And for the ‘other’ category of respondents (3.3%), their night was such a blur that they can’t remember!  

Which state experiences financial hangovers the most? ??

Oregon or Oh-No-regon? Oregon ranks #1 for financial hangovers, with 94.4% of residents admitting they have felt anxious when checking their bank accounts. Unlike the national average, Oregonians can’t wait more than a day before facing the music, with 92.3% regretting their spending decisions. Over half (55.5%) wake up with no clue how much they dished the night before and seeing $104.20 spent will make them cringe. Their biggest wallet busters? It’s a tie between food and drinks!  

Kansas and Virginia tie for #2 place in financial hangovers, with 81.8% of residents feeling that post-spending pain. Kansans tend to wait an average of 1.7 days to peek at their accounts, while Virginians procrastinate a tad bit longer, holding off for 3.3 days. Despite the delays, both Kansans (88.9%) and Virginians (87.9%) regret their spending choices the morning after. For Virginians, a hefty $255.67 is enough to send shivers down their spine; for those in Kansas, just $109.54 can trigger major anxiety. Perhaps it’s time for Kansas to curb their late-night munchies and cocktails for Virginians. 

Just above Oregon, Washington ranks #3 in financial hangovers. About 81.6% of Washingtonians experience the dreaded anxiety of looking at their bank accounts, typically after waiting 2.2 days. With 8 in 10 residents regretting their choices, it’s no wonder why they suffer from a strong case of financial hangovers. Maybe it’s time for them to start ‘Watching(ton)’ their night out spending habits to avoid those morning-after regrets!  

I’m the problem, it’s me: Canada’s night out aftermath ?? ??

About 74% of Canadians admit they get anxiety when checking their bank accounts after a night out. Half (50.4%) of our respondents occasionally experience financial hangovers, while 15% deal with these feelings every single night out! Bit rough out here, eh?  

Canadians tend to wait an average of 2.8 days before mustering up the courage to view their bank accounts post-night out. Why? 88.4% typically regret their spending decisions the morning after; and 6 in 10 Canadians wake up forgetting how much they spend the night before! No wonder they’re willing to wait up to 3 days for their reality check!??

The magic number that makes Canadians feel anxious about their previous night’s spending is $232 (CAD). Unlike their American neighbors who do set a budget, 54.6% of Canadians don’t! Despite their budgeting habits, 3 in 4 Canadians avoid checking their bank accounts all throughout the night.  

Food is the #1 financial hangover culprit for Canadians, according to 44.6% – can’t resist the late-night poutine, eh? Drinks follow #2 at 37.5%, with activities in #3 place. Transportation ranks #4, while those in the ‘other’ category (2.2%) simply can’t remember due to all the drinks they’ve had!  

Provinces and territories financial hangover rankings ?? 

Ranking #1 for financial hangovers is Newfoundland and Labrador, where 84% of residents admit to feeling the pain. Their hangovers are so intense that they wait an average of 4 days to peek at their bank accounts after a big night out, leaving 89% in deep regret. Over half (52%) have woken up with no memory of how much they spent – probably for the best, as $246 can send shivers down their spines. Unlike the rest of the nation, drinks are the top culprit for N.L.’s spending sprees, according to 48%. Talk about a brew-tal hangover!  

Coming in at #2, New Brunswick residents know the sting of morning-after financial regrets all too well. About 83.9% have experienced financial hangovers, plus 100% admit to regretting their spending decisions. Like their neighbors in N.L., they wait 4 days before facing their bank accounts. It only takes a night of spending $186.77 (-20% less than the national average) for N.B. to dread checking their balance. Evidence points to food taking up 42% of their night out spending. Can’t resist a midnight Harvey’s burger, eh? 

Taking the bronze in financial hangovers is Alberta, where 81.4% of residents have faced the dread morning-after woes one too many times. Unlike N.L. and N.B., Albertans wait an average of 2.8 days to tackle their financial regrets. With 95% admitting to regretting their night-out choices, it’s no surprise that spending an average of $233.08 gives them serious anxiety the next day. Almost half (45%) of Albertans blame food as the main source of their pricey hangovers.  

Financial hangovers (Viva Las Vegas edition) ???????

It’s all fun and games in Sin City until the bill comes due! Of the 48% of Americans who have been to Las Vegas, 35% woke up with a strong case of financial hangover after a night of slot machines. Similarly, of the 34% of Canadians who made the trip down to the Strip, 34% faced the same bank account woes. What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas – sometimes it follows you home to your bank account!  

The final coin-clusion ????

While a physical hangover hurts for a day or two, the financial hangover has proven to sting longer. In the end, our two nationwide surveys reveal the painful truth: 3 in 4 Americans and Canadians experience financial hangovers when checking their bank accounts after a night out. So, next time you hit the town, maybe think twice before ordering that extra round – your bank account and future self will thank you!  

Methodology 

In July 2024, we surveyed 3,000 Americans and 3,000 Canadians about their financial hangover experiences through a series of questions.  

The average age of American respondents was 36.6 years old. The representative sample comprised of 60% female, 37.4% male, 1.7% non-binary, and 0.8% transgender.  

The average age of Canadian respondents was 33.8 years old. The representative sample comprised of 52.5% female, 44.9% male, 2.4% non-binary, and 0.2% transgender. 

The following states were not accounted for due to an insufficient amount of data: Alaska, Delaware, D.C., Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, and Wyoming.

The following territories were not accounted for due to an insufficient amount of data: Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon.

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